The Men's National Sevens Team Coach Al Caravelli announced today the pool of players chosen to represent the U.S. in select international sevens tournaments held around the world over the next several months.

What initially started as a pool of 57 of the nation's best sevens players has been cut down to 30 potential team members since the National Team camp at West Point in August. And, on Monday, Oct. 16, 18 of the 30 total players named to the pool will travel to the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center in Calif., for a week-long training camp. The training camp will also see six more players cut, so that only 12 players remain on the roster for their first international sevens tournament of the season, in Bangkok, Thailand, Oct. 28-29. The U.S. National Team then travels to Singapore for their second Sevens Tournament of the season on Nov. 4-5.

"I am extremely confident that the players we have selected will perform up to our standards and their own expectations," Caravelli said. "I am not going to measure our success on wins and losses, but instead measure it by how they play to their potential. If they play to their potential the wins will come."

Unfortunately, the U.S. hasn't typically been a powerhouse on the international sevens circuit, finishing 1-11-1 during its last competitive season, which was Caravelli's first as head coach. Under Caravelli, however, the U.S. did win its first international match in three years and continues to improve with his stringent emphasis on fitness, strength and conditioning.

The game of sevens is played under substantially the same rules and on a field of the same dimensions as the 15-player game. While a normal rugby union match lasts at least 80 minutes, a normal rugby sevens match lasts approximately 15 minutes, allowing sevens rugby tournaments to be completed in a shorter time frame. Sevens is an extremely fast-paced version of the 15s game since the players are more spaced out than and scores come with much greater frequency.

"Sevens is a game based on the foundations of speed and athleticism, so that is why we are putting such an emphasis on fitness training," Caravelli added. We also look to focus on our defense and ball retention heading into this season.

"We have six tournaments, three of which are on the iRB World Sevens Series, and just one of which is at home. It is a tough schedule, but one that everyone is looking forward to."